Systems and methods for interaction among terminal devices and servers

ABSTRACT

System and method are disclosed for providing authentication of a terminal device. One embodiment includes a method implemented by a first terminal device. The method may include receiving first location information and receiving a first predetermined signal. The method may also include transmitting status information and the first location information to a server upon receiving the first predetermined signal to allow the server to compare the first location information with second location information received from a second terminal device and to allow the server to transmit the status information to the second terminal device. The status information may indicate that the first terminal device is authenticated and the first location information may indicate a current location of the first terminal device.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

The present application claims the benefits of priority to ChineseApplication No. 201410553465.X, filed Oct. 17, 2014, the entire contentsof which are incorporated herein by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present application relates to the field of data communications, andmore particularly, to systems and methods for interaction betweenterminal devices and between a terminal device and a server.

BACKGROUND

A user may visit websites or use applications (e.g., softwareapplications installed on a desktop/laptop computer or on a mobiledevice) as daily routines. Usually, if the user has an account with awebsite or an application, the user may log in to the website orapplication with the account and corresponding password. Based on thelogin information, the user may be authenticated by the website orapplication, and the user may then access data in accordance withappropriate access levels.

In some cases, the user may wish to login to the website or applicationon two or more terminal devices with the same account. For example, theuser may wish to login to an account from a computer (e.g., desktop orlaptop computer) after logging in to the same account on a website or anapplication on a mobile phone. On the other hand, the user may wish tolog in to an account from a mobile phone after logging in to the sameaccount on a computer.

Currently, after logging in to one terminal device (e.g., adesktop/laptop computer or a mobile device), the user still needs tore-enter the account and password information in order to beauthenticated again when logging in to another terminal device. Thisoperation is duplicative and time consuming, and fails to meet thegrowing demand for easy and convenient operations.

SUMMARY

One aspect of the present disclosure is directed to a method,implemented by a first terminal device, for providing authentication ona second terminal device. The method may includes receiving, by aprocessor device of the first terminal device, first locationinformation and receiving, by the processor device, a firstpredetermined signal. The method may also include transmitting statusinformation and the first location information to a server uponreceiving the first predetermined signal to allow the server to comparethe first location information with second location information receivedfrom the second terminal device and to allow the server to transmit thestatus information to the second terminal device. The status informationmay indicate that the first terminal device is authenticated and thefirst location information indicates a current location of the firstterminal device.

Another aspect of the present disclosure is directed to a method,implemented by a processor device of a server, for providingauthentication. The method may includes receiving, from a first terminaldevice, status information and first location information. The statusinformation may indicate that the first terminal device is authenticatedand the first location information may indicate a current location ofthe first terminal device. The method may also include receiving, from asecond terminal device, second location information indicating a currentlocation of the second terminal device. The method may further includecomparing the first and second location information to determine whetherthe current locations of the first and second terminal devices aresubstantially the same. When it is determined that the current locationsof the first and second terminal devices are substantially the same, themethod may include transmitting the status information to the secondterminal device to authenticate the second terminal device.

Another aspect of the present disclosure is directed to a terminaldevice. The terminal device may include a transceiver device thattransmits or receives information from a server. The transceiver devicemay also include a processor device. The processor device may receivefirst location information and may receive a first predetermined signal.The processor device may also control the transceiver to transmit statusinformation and the first location information to the server uponreceiving the first predetermined signal to allow the server to comparethe first location information with second location information receivedfrom a second terminal device and to allow the server to transmit thestatus information to the second terminal device. The status informationmay indicate that the first terminal device is authenticated and thefirst location information may indicate a current location of the firstterminal device.

Another aspect of the present disclosure is directed to a server. Theserver may include a transceiver device that transmits or receivesinformation from first and second terminal devices. The server may alsoinclude a processor device. The processor device may receive, from afirst terminal device, status information and first locationinformation. The status information may indicate that the first terminaldevice is authenticated and the first location information may indicatea current location of the first terminal device. The processor devicemay also receive, from a second terminal device, second locationinformation indicating a current location of the second terminal device.The processor device may further compare the first and second locationinformation to determine whether the current locations of the first andsecond terminal devices are substantially the same. When it isdetermined that the current locations of the first and second terminaldevices are substantially the same, the processor device may control thetransceiver to transmit the status information to the second terminaldevice to authenticate the second terminal device.

Additional objects and advantages of the present disclosure will be setforth in part in the following detailed description, and in part will beobvious from the description, or may be learned by practice of thepresent disclosure. The objects and advantages of the present disclosurewill be realized and attained by means of the elements and combinationsparticularly pointed out in the appended claims.

It is to be understood that the foregoing general description and thefollowing detailed description are exemplary and explanatory only, andare not restrictive of the invention, as claimed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which constitute a part of thisspecification, illustrate several embodiments and, together with thedescription, serve to explain the disclosed principles.

FIG. 1 is a schematic flow diagram of an exemplary terminal deviceinteraction method, according to an embodiment of the presentapplication;

FIG. 2 is a flow diagram of an exemplary terminal device interactionmethod, according to an embodiment of the present application;

FIG. 3 is a flow diagram of another exemplary terminal deviceinteraction method, according to an embodiment of the presentapplication.

FIG. 4 is a functional block diagram of an exemplary terminal deviceinteraction system, according to an embodiment of the presentapplication;

FIG. 5 is a flow diagram of an exemplary terminal device interactionmethod, according to an embodiment of the present application;

FIG. 6 is a flow diagram of another exemplary terminal deviceinteraction method, according to an embodiment of the presentapplication;

FIG. 7 is a functional block diagram of an exemplary terminal device,according to an embodiment of the present application;

FIG. 8 is a flow diagram of an exemplary terminal device interactionmethod, according to an embodiment of the present application;

FIG. 9 is a flow diagram of an exemplary terminal device interactionmethod, according to an embodiment of the present application;

FIG. 10 is a functional block diagram of an exemplary terminal device,according to an embodiment of the present application;

FIG. 11 is a flow diagram of an exemplary terminal device interactionmethod, according to an embodiment of the present application;

FIG. 12 is a flow diagram of an exemplary terminal device interactionmethod, according to an embodiment of the present application;

FIG. 13 is a functional block diagram of an exemplary server, accordingto an embodiment of the present application.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Reference will now be made in detail to exemplary embodiments of theinvention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanyingdrawings. The following description refers to the accompanying drawingsin which the same numbers in different drawings represent the same orsimilar elements unless otherwise represented. The implementations setforth in the following description of exemplary embodiments consistentwith the present invention do not represent all implementationsconsistent with the invention. Instead, they are merely examples ofsystems and methods consistent with aspects related to the invention asrecited in the appended claims.

FIG. 1 shows a flow diagram of an exemplary method 1 for a terminaldevice interaction method provided by an embodiment of the application.Method 1 may comprise a series of steps. Some steps may be optional.

In step S11, a first terminal device may receive status informationindicating that the first terminal device is authenticated.

The first terminal device may include smart phones, smart bracelets,smart watches, smart glasses, tablet computers, laptops, or desktopcomputers. The first terminal device may also include other smartdevices capable of running software.

In one example, when visiting websites, or running software orapplications, the first terminal device can be authenticated based onaccount and password information. After authentication, a server maytransmit the status information indicating that the first terminaldevice is authenticated to the first terminal device.

In some embodiments, the status information may be used for indicatingthe status that the first terminal device is authenticated. For example,the status information may comprise a character string formed inaccordance with a predetermined rule. The status information may alsocomprise account and/or password information. Specifically, for example,the status information can be a session identifier, e.g., Session ID,established between the server and the first terminal device.

In step S12, the first terminal device may receive a first predeterminedsignal. The first terminal device may then transmit first predeterminedinformation, the status information, and/or first location informationindicating a current location of the first terminal device to a server.Similarly, a second terminal device may receive a second predeterminedsignal, and may transmit second predetermined information with secondlocation information indicating a current location of the secondterminal device to the server.

In one embodiment, the first predetermined signal may include acharacter string arranged in accordance with a predetermined rule. Inanother embodiment, the first predetermined signal may include a voltageinput received by a predetermined port of the first terminal device.

There may be many ways of inputting the first predetermined signal tothe first terminal device. For example: inputting the firstpredetermined signal to the first terminal device through a keyboard;inputting the first predetermined signal to the first terminal devicethrough a virtual key of a touch screen; detecting whether a directionof motion of the first terminal device suddenly changes through anarrangement of a motion detection device, such as inputting the firstpredetermined signal to the first terminal device if a user shakes thefirst terminal device.

In some embodiments, when the first terminal device receives the inputfirst predetermined signal, which may indicate a situation in which thefirst terminal device's authentication is potentially to be synchronizedto another terminal device, the first terminal device may transmit thefirst predetermined information to the server, so that the status of thefirst terminal device (e.g., being authenticated) may be synchronized toanother terminal device through the server.

The first location information may indicate the current location of thefirst terminal device. The first location information can be generatedby satellite positioning. For example, the first terminal device may beprovided with a Global Positioning System (GPS) module. The firstlocation information can also be generated by base station positioning.For example, the first terminal device may be provided with a GlobalSystem for Mobile Communication (GSM) chip or a Code Division MultipleAccess (CDMA) chip, etc. The first location information can also begenerated by network IP positioning.

There may be many ways of arranging the first predetermined information,the status information, and the first location information. For example,the status information and the first location information may be used aspart of the content of the first predetermined information. The statusinformation may be separated from the first location information by aseparator. In another example, one of the status information and thefirst location information may be used as part of the content of thefirst predetermined information. The other may be used as an attachmentto the first predetermined information. In yet another example, apredetermined character string may be used as the content of the firstpredetermined information. Both the status information and the firstlocation information may be used as attachment to the firstpredetermined information.

The second terminal device may include smart phones, smart bracelets,smart watches, smart glasses, tablet computers, laptops or desktopcomputers. The second terminal device may also be other smart devicescapable of running software.

In one embodiment, the second predetermined signal may include acharacter string arranged in accordance with a predetermined rule. Inanother embodiment, the second predetermined signal may also include avoltage input received by a predetermined port of the second terminaldevice.

There may be many ways of inputting the second predetermined signal tothe second terminal device. For example: inputting the secondpredetermined signal to the second terminal device through a keyboard;inputting the second predetermined signal to the second terminal devicethrough a virtual key of a touch screen; detecting whether a directionof motion of the second terminal device suddenly changes through anarrangement of a motion detection device, such as inputting the secondpredetermined signal to the second terminal device if a user shakes thesecond terminal device.

In some embodiments, receiving the input second predetermined signal bythe second terminal device may indicate that the status information ofanother authenticated terminal device needs to be obtained by the secondterminal device so that authentication of the second terminal device canbe completed according to the status information.

The second location information may indicate the current location of thesecond terminal device. The second location information can be generatedby satellite positioning. For example, the second terminal device may beprovided with a GPS module. The second location information can also begenerated by base station positioning. For example, the second terminaldevice may be provided with a GSM chip or CDMA chip, etc. The secondlocation information can also be generated by network IP positioning.

There may be many ways of arranging the second predetermined informationand the second location information. For example, the second locationinformation may be used as part of the second predetermined informationcontent. In another example, a predetermined character string may beused as the second predetermined information content, and the secondlocation information may be used as an attachment to the secondpredetermined information.

In step S13, the server may determine whether the first locationinformation and the second location information indicate substantiallythe same location. If it is determined that the first locationinformation and the second location information indicate substantiallythe same location, the server may transmit the status informationreceived from the first terminal device to the second terminal device.

In some embodiments, the server may compare the locations indicated bythe first and second location information. The server may communicatewith a plurality of terminal devices, all of which can transmit locationinformation to the server, but do not necessarily have to synchronizelogin status information to the same account. Therefore, the server maydetermine whether the terminal devices are at the same location based onthe received location information.

In some embodiments, if it is determined that the first and secondlocation information indicate substantially the same location, theserver may confirm that the first and second terminal devices areco-located and both transmit the predetermined information, indicatingthat the status information of the first terminal device is to betransmitted to the second terminal device for authenticating the secondterminal device. The server may then transmit the status informationreceived from the first terminal device to the second terminal device.

In step S14, the second terminal device may receive the statusinformation from the server. The second terminal device may then beauthenticated using the received status information.

In some embodiments, after the second terminal device receives thestatus information, authentication and other tasks can be completedbased on the received status information, without requiring a user tore-enter the account and password information to the second terminaldevice, thereby improving convenience to the user. The statusinformation may include the Session ID assigned by the server to thefirst terminal device. The Session ID may be added to all subsequentcommunications with the server after the second terminal device receivesthe Session ID. The first terminal device, the second terminal device,and the server may be in the same session. Furthermore, the statusinformation may include account and/or password information, so thesecond terminal device can further access data corresponding to theaccess level of the account. Moreover, a corresponding relationship mayexist between the Session ID and the account, and the second terminaldevice may also access data corresponding to the access level of theaccount based on the Session ID.

According to the above described method, a first terminal device may beauthenticated first. The first terminal device and a second terminaldevice to be authenticated may transmit predetermined information to aserver. The server may then transmit status information of theauthenticated terminal device to the second terminal device to beauthenticated. Authentication of the second terminal device may becompleted according to the status information. This method may avoidre-entering the account and password and improve convenience to theuser.

The first terminal device may comprise a motion detection device forgenerating a first predetermined signal when the direction of motion ofthe first terminal device suddenly changes. The second terminal devicemay comprise a keyboard for generating a second predetermined signalwhen a predetermined key of the keyboard is pressed. The first andsecond predetermined signals may be generated at substantially the sametime when, for example, a user uses the first terminal device to pressor click the predetermined key of the second terminal device.

When the predetermined key of the keyboard of the second terminal deviceis pressed by the first terminal device, the direction of motion of thefirst terminal device may suddenly change during the pressing process,and the motion detection device can generate the first predeterminedsignal based on the change in the direction of motion. Therefore, theoperation of inputting the first predetermined signal to the firstterminal device can be achieved. Similarly, when the predetermined keyof the second terminal device is pressed by the first terminal device,the predetermined key may generate the second predetermined signal,e.g., the operation of inputting the second predetermined signal to thesecond terminal device can be achieved.

FIG. 2 shows an exemplary method of authenticating a terminal device,which may comprise the following steps:

Step S15: The server may compare the first and second locationinformation to determine whether they indicate substantially the samelocation. When the first location information and the second locationinformation indicate substantially the same location, the server maygenerate an identification code which can uniquely identify the secondterminal device and to indicate the identity of the terminal device, andtransmit the identification code to the second terminal device.

In some embodiments, the server may communicate with a plurality ofsecond terminal devices, the plurality of second terminal devices andthe first terminal device may be co-located in the same of substantiallythe same location, and the user may wish to authenticate one of theplurality of second terminal devices by transmitting the statusinformation of the first terminal device to that second terminal device.Moreover, the second terminal devices may all transmit the predeterminedinformation to the server. So the server may need to distinguish atwhich second terminal device in particular the user wishes to obtain thestatus information. To prevent the server from transmitting the statusinformation to second terminal devices that should not receive thestatus information, the server may assign an identification code to eachof the plurality of second terminal device, so that the second terminaldevices can be distinguished by the identification codes.

In some embodiments, the identification codes can be generated by theserver according to a predetermined algorithm. For example, thepredetermined algorithm can include a random function, a hash algorithm,etc.

Step S17: The second terminal device may display the identificationcode.

In some embodiments, the second terminal device may display theidentification code, so that the user can select, confirm, and/ordesignate the second terminal device to obtain the status informationaccording to the identification code displayed by the second terminaldevice. When there are a plurality of second terminal devices, theidentification code corresponding to each of the plurality of secondterminal devices can be displayed.

Step S19: When receiving the selected identification code, the firstterminal device and/or the second terminal device may transmit theselected identification code to the server.

In some embodiments, after the corresponding identification code isdisplayed by the second terminal device, the user can enter thecorresponding identification code of the second terminal device thatneeds to obtain the status information to the first terminal device, sothat the first terminal device can feed the identification code back tothe server and the sever can identify the second terminal device thatneeds to receive the status information. The user can also enter thecorresponding identification code of the second terminal device thatneeds to obtain the status information to the second terminal device,and the second terminal device transmits the identification code to theserver, so that the server can identify the second terminal device thatneeds to receive the status information. Moreover, the user can alsoenter the corresponding identification code of the second terminaldevice that needs to obtain the status information to both the first andsecond terminal devices, and the first and second terminal devices eachfeed the identification code back to the server.

In some embodiments, after receiving the identification code, the firstterminal device or the second terminal device may transmit theidentification code to the server for further processing.

Step S21: after receiving the identification code, the server maytransmit the status information to the second terminal device identifiedby the identification code.

In some embodiments, after receiving the identification code transmittedby the first terminal device, the server can identify the secondterminal device that needs to receive the status information based onthe identification code, and transmit the status information to thesecond terminal device.

FIG. 3 shows another exemplary terminal device interaction method, whichmay also comprise the following steps.

Step S23: the server may transmit the identification code to the firstterminal device.

In some embodiments, the server may transmit the identification code tothe first terminal device after generating the identification code.

Step S25: the first terminal device may display the identification code.

In some embodiments, the first terminal device may display theidentification code, so that the user can distinguish among differentsecond terminal devices according to the identification codes displayedon the first terminal device. When there are a plurality of secondterminal devices, the first terminal device can display anidentification code list, and each second terminal device may displaythe corresponding identification code, so the user can see theidentification code displayed on a certain second terminal device, andcorrespondingly look up the same identification code from the listdisplayed by the first terminal device.

Step S27: when a click event occurs to select an identification codedisplayed by the first terminal device, the first terminal device maytransmit the identification code to the server.

In some embodiments, the user can identify the second terminal devicethat needs to obtain the status information by clicking on thecorresponding identification code displayed by the first terminal deviceto select that second terminal device.

In some embodiments, the first terminal device can monitor whether aclick event occurs to the displayed identification code. For example,the first terminal device may be provided with a touch screen, and theuser can click on a position on the touch screen corresponding to theidentification code, or click on the identification code using a mousedevice.

FIG. 4 shows an exemplary implementation of a terminal deviceinteraction system 100, which may comprise a first terminal device 110,a second terminal device 120 and a server 130.

The first terminal device 110 may comprise a first status informationreceiving module 11 and a first transceiver module 13. As used herein, amodule may be implemented by a processor device of a terminal device ora server. For example, the processor device may execute softwareinstructions stored on a memory device to perform the functionsprescribed by the module.

In some embodiments, the first terminal device may include smart phones,smart bracelets, smart watches, smart glasses, tablet computers,laptops, or desktop computers. The first terminal device may alsoinclude other smart devices capable of running software.

The first status information receiving module 11 may be used forreceiving status information indicating that the first terminal deviceis authenticated.

In one example, when visiting websites, or running software orapplications, the first terminal device 110 can be authenticated basedon account and password information. After authentication, the servermay transmit the status information indicating that the first terminaldevice 110 is authenticated to the first terminal device 110, and thefirst status information receiving module 11 may be used for receivingthe status information.

In some embodiments, the status information may be used for indicatingthat the first terminal device 110 is authenticated. For example, thestatus information may comprise a character string formed in accordancewith a predetermined rule. The status information may also compriseaccount and/or password information. Specifically, for example, thestatus information may be a session identifier, e.g., Session ID,established between the server and the first terminal device 110.

The first transceiver module 13 may receive a first predeterminedsignal, and may be used for transmitting first predetermined informationwith the status information and first location information indicating acurrent location to the server 130.

In some embodiments, the first predetermined signal may include acharacter string arranged in accordance with a predetermined rule. Inanother embodiment, the first predetermined signal may include a voltageinput received by a predetermined port of the first terminal device 110.

There may be many ways of inputting the first predetermined signal tothe first transceiver module 13. For example: inputting the firstpredetermined signal through a keyboard; inputting the firstpredetermined signal through a virtual key of a touch screen; detectingwhether a direction of motion of the first terminal device 110 suddenlychanges through an arrangement of a motion detection device, such asinputting the first predetermined signal when a user shakes the firstterminal device 110.

In some embodiments, if the first transceiver module 13 receives theinput first predetermined signal, which may indicate a situation inwhich the first terminal device's authentication is potentially to besynchronized to another terminal device, the first transceiver module 13may transmit the first predetermined information to the server 130, sothat the status information of the first terminal device 110 may besynchronized to another terminal device (e.g., second terminal device120) through the server 130.

The first location information may indicate the current location of thefirst terminal device 110. The first location information can begenerated by satellite positioning. For example, the first terminaldevice 110 may be provided with a GPS module. The first locationinformation can also be generated by base station positioning. Forexample, the first terminal device 110 may be provided with a GSM chipor CDMA chip, etc. The first location information can also be generatedby network IP positioning.

There may be many ways of arranging the first predetermined information,the status information, and the first location information. For example:the status information and the first location information may be used aspart of the content of the first predetermined information. The statusinformation may be separated from the first location information by aseparator. In another example, one of the status information and thefirst location information may be used as part of the content of thefirst predetermined information. The other may be used as an attachmentto the first predetermined information. In yet another example, apredetermined character string may be used as the content of the firstpredetermined information. Both the status information and the firstlocation information may be used as attachment to the firstpredetermined information.

The second terminal device 120 may comprise a second transceiver module15 and a status information receiving module 17.

In some embodiments, the second terminal device 120 may include smartphones, smart bracelets, smart watches, smart glasses, tablet computers,laptops or desktop computers. The second terminal device may alsoinclude other smart devices capable of running software.

The second transceiver module 15 may receive a second predeterminedsignal, and may be used for transmitting second predeterminedinformation with second location information indicating a currentlocation of the second terminal device to the server 130.

In one embodiment, the second predetermined signal may include acharacter string arranged in accordance with a predetermined rule. Inanother embodiment, the second predetermined signal may include avoltage input received by a predetermined port of the second terminaldevice.

There may be many ways of inputting the second predetermined signal tothe second transceiver module 15. For example: inputting the secondpredetermined signal through a keyboard; inputting the secondpredetermined signal through a virtual key of a touch screen; detectingwhether the motion direction of the second terminal device 120 suddenlychanges through the arrangement of a motion detection device, such asinputting the second predetermined signal when a user shakes the secondterminal device 120.

In some embodiments, receiving the input second predetermined signal bythe second terminal device 120 may indicate that the status informationof another authenticated terminal device needs to be obtained by thesecond terminal device so that authentication of the second terminaldevice 120 can be achieved according to the status information.

The second location information may indicate the current location of thesecond terminal device 120. The second location information can begenerated by satellite positioning. For example, the second terminaldevice 120 may be provided with a GPS module. The second locationinformation can also be generated by base station positioning. Forexample, the second terminal device 120 may be provided with a GSM chipor CDMA chip, etc. The second location information can also be generatedby network IP positioning.

There may be many ways of arranging the second predetermined informationand the second location information. For example, the second locationinformation may be used as part or all of the second predeterminedinformation content. In another example, a predetermined characterstring may be used as the second predetermined information content, andthe second location information may be used as an attachment to thesecond predetermined information.

The status information receiving module 17 may be used for receiving thestatus information.

In some embodiments, after the status information receiving module 17receives the status information, authentication of the second terminaldevice 120 and other tasks can be completed based on the received statusinformation, without requiring a user to re-enter the account andpassword information to the second terminal device, thereby improvingconvenience to the user. The status information may include a Session IDassigned by server 130 to the first terminal device. The Session ID maybe added to all subsequent communications with server 130 after thesecond terminal device 120 receives the Session ID. The first terminaldevice 110, the second terminal device 120, and the server 130 can be inthe same session. Furthermore, the status information may includeaccount and/or password information, so the second terminal device 120can further access data corresponding to the access level of thecorresponding account. Moreover, a corresponding relationship may existbetween the Session ID and the account, and the second terminal device120 may also access data corresponding to the access level of accountbased on the Session ID.

The server 130 may comprise an information receiving module 19 and aninformation transmitting module 21.

The information receiving module 19 may be used for receiving the firstand second predetermined information.

In some embodiments, the information receiving module 19 may includeessential data communication hardware and/or essential software driversfor the hardware.

The information transmitting module 21 may be used for transmitting thestatus information to the second terminal device 120 when the first andsecond location information indicates the same location.

In some embodiments, the server 130 may compare the locations indicatedby the first and second location information. The server 130 maycommunicate with a plurality of terminal devices, all of which cantransmit location information to the server 130, but do not necessarilyhave to synchronize the login information to the same account.Therefore, the server 130 may determine whether the terminal devices arein the same location based on the received location information.

In some embodiments, when determining that the first and second locationinformation indicate substantially the same location, the server 130 mayconfirm that the first terminal device 110 and the second terminaldevice 120 are co-located and both transmit the predeterminedinformation, indicating that the status information of the firstterminal device 110 is to be transmitted to the second terminal device120 for authenticating the second terminal device 120. The server 130may then transmit the status information received from the firstterminal device to the second terminal device 120.

FIG. 5 shows an exemplary terminal device interaction method implementedby first terminal device 110, which may comprise the following steps.

Step S29: status information indicating that a terminal device isauthenticated is received.

In one example, when visiting websites, or running software orapplications, the terminal device can be authenticated based on accountand password information. After authentication, the server may receivethe account and password information and may transmit the statusinformation indicating that the terminal device is authenticated to theterminal device.

In some embodiments, the status information may be used for indicatingthat the terminal device is authenticated. For example, the statusinformation may comprise a character string formed in accordance with apredetermined rule. The status information may also comprise accountand/or password information. Specifically, for example, the statusinformation can be a session identifier, e.g., Session ID, establishedbetween the server and the terminal device.

Step S31: the terminal device may receive a first predetermined signal,the terminal device may then transmit first predetermined informationwith the status information and first location information indicating acurrent location of the terminal device to a server.

In one embodiment, the first predetermined signal may include acharacter string arranged in accordance with a predetermined rule. Inanother embodiment, the first predetermined signal may include a voltageinput received by a predetermined port of the terminal device.

There may be many ways of inputting the first predetermined signal tothe terminal device. For example: inputting the first predeterminedsignal to the terminal device through a keyboard; inputting the firstpredetermined signal to the terminal device through a virtual key of atouch screen; detecting whether a direction of motion of the terminaldevice suddenly changes through an arrangement of a motion detectiondevice, such as inputting the first predetermined signal if a usershakes the terminal device.

In some embodiments, if the terminal device receives the input firstpredetermined signal, which may indicate a situation in which theterminal device's authentication is potentially to be synchronized toanother terminal device, the terminal device may transmit the firstpredetermined information to the server, so that the status informationof the terminal device may be synchronized to another terminal devicethrough the server.

The first location information may indicate the current location of theterminal device. The first location information can be generated bysatellite positioning. For example, the terminal device may be providedwith a GPS module. The first location information can also be generatedby base station positioning. For example, the terminal device may beprovided with a GSM chip or CDMA chip, etc. The first locationinformation can also be generated by network IP positioning.

There may be many ways of arranging the first predetermined information,the status information, and the first location information. For example:the status information and the first location information may be used aspart of the content of the first predetermined information. The statusinformation may be separated from the first location information by aseparator. In another example, one of the status information and thefirst location information may be used as part of the content of thefirst predetermined information. The other may be used as an attachmentto the first predetermined information. In yet another example, apredetermined character string may be used as the content of the firstpredetermined information. Both the status information and the firstlocation information may be used as attachment to the firstpredetermined information.

In one embodiment of the application, receiving the first predeterminedsignal may comprise: generating the first predetermined signal whendetecting a sudden change in the direction of motion.

In some embodiments, the terminal device may comprise a motion detectiondevice for generating a first predetermined signal when the direction ofmotion of the terminal device suddenly changes, thereby inputting thefirst predetermined signal to the terminal device. For example, themotion detection device may be a gyroscope.

In one embodiment of the application, receiving the first predeterminedsignal may comprise: generating the first predetermined signal bypressing a predetermined key.

In some embodiments, the terminal device may comprise a keyboard or avirtual keyboard with touch screen technologies. The first predeterminedsignal may be an electric signal generated by pressing the predeterminedkey, for example, the space key, of the keyboard or virtual keyboard.

FIG. 6 shows another exemplary terminal device interaction method, whichmay comprise the followings steps.

Step S33: an identification code transmitted by the server may bereceived, and the identification code can uniquely identify one terminaldevice.

In some embodiments, the server may communicate with a plurality ofterminal devices, one of which has been authenticated, and the user maywish to authenticate another one of the plurality of terminal devices bytransmitting the status information of the authenticated terminal deviceto the other terminal device. Moreover, the terminal devices may alltransmit the predetermined information to the server. So the server mayneed to distinguish at which terminal device in particular the userwishes to obtain the status information. To prevent the server fromtransmitting the status information to the terminal device that shouldnot receive the status information, the server may assign anidentification code to each of the plurality of terminal device, so theterminal devices can be distinguished by the identification codes.

Step S35: the identification codes may be displayed.

In some embodiments, the terminal devices may display the identificationcodes, so that the user can distinguish among different terminal devicesaccording to the identification codes displayed by the terminal devices.When there is a plurality of terminal devices, the authenticatedterminal device can display an identification code list, and eachunauthenticated terminal device displays the correspondingidentification code, so the user can see the identification codedisplayed on a certain terminal device, and correspondingly look up thesame identification code from the list displayed by the authenticatedterminal device.

Step S37: when a click event occurs to select an identification code oran entered identification code is received, the identification code maybe transmitted to the server.

In some embodiments, the user may click on the displayed identificationcode on the authenticated terminal device or enter the identificationcode, so as to confirm the terminal device to obtain the statusinformation based on the corresponding relationship between theidentification code and the terminal device.

In some embodiments, the terminal device can monitor whether the clickevent occurs on the displayed identification code. For example, theterminal device may be provided with a touch screen, and the user canclick on the position on the touch screen corresponding identificationcode, or click on the identification code using a mouse device. When theterminal device provides a keyboard, the user may enter theidentification code.

In some embodiments, the terminal device may transmit the identificationcode to the server, so that the server can transmit the statusinformation to the terminal device corresponding to the identificationcode.

FIG. 7 shows an exemplary implementation of terminal device 110, whichmay comprise a first status information receiving module 11 and a firsttransceiver module 13.

In some embodiments, the terminal device may include smart phones, smartbracelets, smart watches, smart glasses, tablet computers, laptops ordesktop computers. The terminal device may also include other smartdevices capable of running software.

The first status information receiving module 11 may be used forreceiving status information indicating that the terminal device isauthenticated.

In one example, when visiting websites, or running software orapplications, the terminal device 110 can be authenticated based onaccount and password information. After authentication, the server maytransmit the status information indicating that the terminal device 110is authenticated to the terminal device 110. The first statusinformation receiving module 11 may be used for receiving the statusinformation.

In some embodiments, the status information may be used for indicatingthat the terminal device 110 is authenticated. For example, the statusinformation may comprise a character string formed in accordance with apredetermined rule. The status information may also comprise accountand/or password information. Specifically, for example, the statusinformation can be a session identifier, e.g., Session ID, establishedbetween the server and the terminal device 110.

The first transceiver module 13 may receive a first predeterminedsignal, and the first transceiver module 13 may then be used fortransmitting first predetermined information with the status informationand first location information indicating a current location to theserver.

In one embodiment, the first predetermined signal may include acharacter string arranged in accordance with a predetermined rule. Inanother embodiment, the first predetermined signal may include a voltageinput received by a predetermined port of the terminal device 110.

There may be many ways of inputting the first predetermined signal tothe first transceiver module 13. For example: inputting the firstpredetermined signal through a keyboard; inputting the firstpredetermined signal through a virtual key of a touch screen; detectingwhether a direction of motion of the terminal device 110 suddenlychanges through an arrangement of a motion detection device, such asinputting the first predetermined signal if a user shakes the terminaldevice 110.

In some embodiments, receiving the input first predetermined signal bythe first transceiver module 13 may indicate that the status informationof the first terminal device need to be transmitted to another terminaldevice, so that the authentication of the other terminal device can becompleted according to the status information. The first transceivermodule 13 may transmit the first predetermined information to theserver, so that the server may transmit the status information of thefirst terminal device to another terminal device.

The first location information may indicate the current location of theterminal device 110. The first location information can be generated bysatellite positioning. For example, the terminal device 110 may beprovided with a GPS module. The first location information can also begenerated by base station positioning. For example, the terminal device110 may be provided with a GSM chip or CDMA chip, etc. The firstlocation information can also be generated by network IP positioning.

There may be many ways of arranging the first predetermined information,the status information, and the first location information. For example:the status information and the first location information may be used aspart of the content of the first predetermined information. The statusinformation may be separated from the first location information by aseparator. In another example, one of the status information and thefirst location information may be used as part of the content of thefirst predetermined information. The other may be used as an attachmentto the first predetermined information. In yet another example, apredetermined character string may be used as the content of the firstpredetermined information. Both the status information and the firstlocation information may be used as attachment to the firstpredetermined information.

FIG. 8 shows an exemplary terminal device interaction method implementedby second terminal device 120, which may comprise the following steps.

Step S39: when a second predetermined signal is received, secondpredetermined information with second location information indicating acurrent location may be transmitted to a server.

In one embodiment, the second predetermined signal may include acharacter string arranged in accordance with a predetermined rule. Inanother embodiment, the second predetermined signal may include avoltage input received by a predetermined port of a terminal device.

There may be many ways of inputting the second predetermined signal tothe terminal device. For example: inputting the second predeterminedsignal to the terminal device through a keyboard; inputting the secondpredetermined signal to the terminal device through a virtual key of atouch screen; detecting whether a direction of motion of the terminaldevice suddenly changes through an arrangement of a motion detectiondevice, such as inputting the second predetermined signal to theterminal device if a user shakes the terminal device.

In some embodiments, receiving the input second predetermined signal bythe second terminal device may indicate that the status information ofanother authenticated terminal device needs to be obtained by the secondterminal device so that authentication of the second terminal device canbe completed according to the status information.

The second location information may indicate the current location of theterminal device. The second location information can be generated bysatellite positioning. For example, the terminal device may be providedwith a GPS module. The second location information can also be generatedby base station positioning. For example, the terminal device may beprovided with a GSM chip or CDMA chip, etc. The second locationinformation can also by generated by network IP positioning.

There may be many ways of arranging the second predetermined informationand the second location information. For example, the second locationinformation may be used as part or all of the second predeterminedinformation content. In another example, a predetermined characterstring may be used as the second predetermined information content, andthe second location information may be used as an attachment to thesecond predetermined information.

Step S41: the status information indicating that the terminal device isauthenticated may be received.

In some embodiments, the status information may be used for indicatingthe status that a terminal device is authenticated. For example, thestatus information can comprise a character string formed in accordancewith a predetermined rule. The status information may also compriseaccount and/or password information. Specifically, for example, thestatus information can be a session identifier, e.g., Session ID,established between the server and the terminal device.

In some embodiments, after the terminal device receives the statusinformation, the authentication can be completed based on the receivedstatus information, without requiring a user to re-enter the account andpassword information to the terminal device, thereby improvingconvenience to the user. The status information may include the SessionID assigned by the server to the authenticated terminal device. TheSession ID may be added to all subsequent communications with the serverafter the current terminal device receives the Session ID. The terminaldevice transmitting the status information, the current terminal device,and the server may be in the same session. Furthermore, the statusinformation may include account and/or password information, so theterminal device can further access data corresponding to the accesslevel of corresponding account. Moreover, a corresponding relationshipmay exist between the Session ID and the account, and the terminaldevice may also access data corresponding to the access level of theaccount based on the Session ID.

In one embodiment of the application, receiving the second predeterminedsignal may comprise: generating the second predetermined signal whendetecting a sudden change in the direction of motion.

In some embodiments, the terminal device may comprise a motion detectiondevice for generating a second predetermined signal when the directionof motion of the terminal device suddenly changes, thereby inputting thesecond predetermined signal to the terminal device. For example, themotion detection device may be a gyroscope.

In one embodiment of the application, receiving the input secondpredetermined signal may comprise: generating the second predeterminedsignal by clicking a predetermined key.

In some embodiments, the terminal device may comprise a keyboard or avirtual keyboard with touch screen technologies. The secondpredetermined signal may be an electric signal generated by pressing thepredetermined key, for example, the space key, of the keyboard orvirtual keyboard.

FIG. 9 shows another exemplary terminal device interaction method, whichmay comprise the following steps.

Step S43: an identification code transmitted by the server may bereceived, and the identification code can uniquely identify the secondterminal device.

The server may communicate with a plurality of terminal devices in thesame location, one of which is authenticated, and the user may wish toauthenticate one of the plurality of terminal devices by transmittingthe status information of the authenticated terminal device to the otherterminal device. Moreover, the terminal devices may all transmit thepredetermined information to the server. So the server may need todistinguish at which terminal device in particular the user wishes toobtain the status information. To prevent the server from transmittingthe status information to terminal devices that should not receive thestatus information, the server may assign an identification code to eachof the plurality of terminal device, so that the terminal devices can bedistinguished by the identification codes.

Step S45: the identification codes may be displayed.

In some embodiments, the terminal device may display the identificationcode, so that the user can select, confirm, and/or designate theterminal device to obtain the status information according to theidentification code displayed by the terminal device. When there is aplurality of terminal devices, the identification code corresponding toeach of the plurality of terminal devices can be displayed.

FIG. 10 shows an exemplary implementation of terminal device 120, whichmay comprise a second transceiver module 15 and a status informationreceiving module 17.

In some embodiments, the terminal device 120 may include smart phones,smart bracelets, smart watches, smart glasses, tablet computers, laptopsor desktop computers. The terminal device may also include other smartdevices capable of running software.

The second transceiver module 15 may be used for transmitting secondpredetermined information to the server when receiving a secondpredetermined signal with second location information indicating acurrent location.

In one embodiment, the second predetermined signal may include acharacter string arranged in accordance with a predetermined rule. Inanother embodiment, the second predetermined signal may include avoltage input received by a predetermined port of the terminal device.

There may be many ways of inputting the second predetermined signal tothe second transceiver module 15. For example: inputting the secondpredetermined signal through a keyboard; inputting the secondpredetermined signal through a virtual key of a touch screen; detectingwhether a direction of motion of the terminal device 120 suddenlychanges through an arrangement of a motion detection device, such asinputting the second predetermined signal if the user shakes theterminal device.

In some embodiments, receiving the input second predetermined signal bythe second terminal device 120 may indicate that the status informationof another authenticated terminal device needs to be obtained by thesecond terminal device so that authentication of the second terminaldevice 120 can be completed according to the status information.

The second location information may indicate the current location of theterminal device 120. The second location information can be generated bysatellite positioning. For example, the terminal device 120 may beprovided with a GPS module. The second location information can also begenerated by base station positioning. For example, the terminal device120 may be provided with a GSM chip or CDMA chip, etc. The secondlocation information can also be generated by network IP positioning.

There may be many ways of arranging the second predetermined informationand the second location information. For example, the second locationinformation may be used as part or all of the second predeterminedinformation content. In another example, a predetermined characterstring may be used as the second predetermined information content, andthe second location information may be used as an attachment to thesecond predetermined information.

The status information receiving module 17 may be used for receiving thestatus information.

In some embodiments, the status information may be used for indicatingthe status that a terminal device is authenticated. For example, thestatus information may comprise a character string formed in accordancewith a predetermined rule. The status information may also compriseaccount and/or password information. Specifically, for example, thestatus information can be a session identifier, e.g., Session ID,established between the server and the terminal device.

In some embodiments, after the status information receiving module 17receives the status information, authentication of the terminal device120 can be completed based on the received status information, withoutrequiring a user to re-enter the account and password information,thereby improving convenience to the user. The status information mayinclude the Session ID assigned by the server to the authenticatedterminal device. The Session ID may be added to all the subsequentcommunications with the server after the current terminal device 120receives the Session ID. The terminal device transmitting the statusinformation, the current terminal device 120, and the server can be inthe same session. Furthermore, the status information may includeaccount and/or password information, so the terminal device 120 canfurther access data corresponding to the access level of the account.Moreover, a corresponding relationship may exist between the Session IDand the account, and the second terminal device 120 may also access datacorresponding to the access level of the account based on the SessionID.

FIG. 11 shows another exemplary terminal device interaction method,which may comprise the following steps.

Step S47: first predetermined information with status informationindicating that a first terminal device is authenticated and firstlocation information indicating a current location of the first terminaldevice may be received; second predetermined information with secondlocation information indicating a current location of a second terminaldevice may be received.

In some embodiments, the status information may be used for indicatingthat the first terminal device is authenticated. For example, the statusinformation may comprise a character string formed in accordance with apredetermined rule. The status information may also comprise accountand/or password information. Specifically, for example, the statusinformation can be a session identifier, e.g., Session ID, establishedbetween the server and the first terminal device.

In some embodiments, receiving the first predetermined information bythe server may indicate that the status information of the firstterminal device needs to be obtained by the second terminal device, sothat authentication of the second terminal device is completed accordingto the status information. There may be many ways of arranging thestatus information and the first location information. For example, thestatus information and the first location information may be used aspart of content of the first predetermined information. The statusinformation may be separated from the first location information by aseparator. In another example, one of the status information and thefirst location information may be used as part of the content of thefirst predetermined information. The other may be used as an attachmentto the first predetermined information. In yet another example, both thestatus information and the first location information may be used asattachments to the first predetermined information. In yet anotherexample, a predetermined character string may be used as the content ofthe first predetermined information.

The first location information may indicate the location of the firstterminal device. The first location information can be generated bysatellite positioning. For example, the first terminal device may beprovided with a GPS module. The first location information can also begenerated by base station positioning. For example, the first terminaldevice may be provided with a GSM chip or CDMA chip, etc. The firstlocation information can also be generated by network IP positioning.

In some embodiments, receiving the second predetermined information bythe server may indicate that the status information of the firstterminal device needs to be obtained by the second terminal device.There may be many ways of arranging the second predetermined informationand the second location information. For example, the second locationinformation may be used as the content of the second predeterminedinformation. In another example, the second location information may beused as an attachment to the second predetermined information. In yetanother example, a predetermined character string may be used as thecontent of the second predetermined information.

The second location information may indicate the current location of thesecond terminal device. The second location information can be generatedby satellite positioning. For example, the second terminal device may beprovided with a GPS module. The second location information can also begenerated by base station positioning. For example, the second terminaldevice may be provided with a GSM chip or CDMA chip, etc. The secondlocation information can also by generated by network IP positioning.

Step S49: when the first location information and the second locationinformation indicate the same location, the status information may betransmitted to the second terminal device.

In some embodiments, the server may compare the locations indicated bythe first and second location information. The server may communicatewith a plurality of terminal devices, all of which can transmit locationinformation to the server, but do not necessarily have to obtain thestatus information of the same terminal device. Therefore, the servermay determine whether the terminal devices are in the same locationaccording to the received location information.

In some embodiments, if it is determined that the first and secondlocation information indicate substantially the same location, theserver may confirm that the first and second terminal devices areco-located and both transmit predetermined information, indicating thatthe status information of the first terminal device is to be transmittedto the second terminal device for authenticating the second terminaldevice. The server may then transmit the status information receivedfrom the first terminal device to the second terminal device.

In one embodiment of the application, the first predeterminedinformation may be provided with a first time stamp. The secondpredetermined information may be provided with a second time stamp. Inthe step S49, when the first and second location information indicatesthe same location and the difference between the first and second timestamps is within a predetermined range, the server may transmit thestatus information to the second terminal device.

In one example, the first time stamp of the first predeterminedinformation may be the time for the first terminal device to starttransmitting the first predetermined information. In another example,the first time stamp of the first predetermined information may be thetime when the first terminal device finishes transmitting the firstpredetermined information. In yet another example, the first time stampof the first predetermined information may be the time for the server tostart receiving the first predetermined information. In yet anotherexample, the first time stamp of the first predetermined information maybe the time when the server finishes receiving the first predeterminedinformation.

In one example, the second time stamp of the second predeterminedinformation may be the time for the second terminal device to starttransmitting the second predetermined information. In another example,the second time stamp of the second predetermined information may be thetime when the second terminal device finishes transmitting the secondpredetermined information. In yet another example, the second time stampof the second predetermined information may be the time for the serverto start receiving the second predetermined information. In yet anotherexample, the second time stamp of the second predetermined informationmay be the completion time when the server finishes receiving the secondpredetermined information.

In some embodiments, the server may identify the second terminal devicethat needs to obtain the status information based on whether the firstand second location information are in the same location and whether thedifference between the first and second time stamps is within apredetermined range. In some cases, there may be a plurality of secondterminal devices. The second terminal devices and the first terminaldevice may be in the same location. The server may more accuratelyidentify the second terminal device that needs to obtain the statusinformation based on whether the difference between the time ofreceiving the first predetermined information and the time of receivingthe second predetermined information is within a predetermined range.

In some embodiments, the predetermined range may be set in the server inadvance. For example, the predetermined range may be 0 to 50micro-seconds.

FIG. 12 shows an exemplary implementation of step S49 of transmittingthe status information to the second terminal device, which may comprisethe following steps.

Step S51: an identification code may be assigned to the second terminaldevice, and the identification code can uniquely identify one secondterminal device.

In some embodiments, the server may communicate with a plurality ofsecond terminal devices, the plurality of second terminal devices andthe first terminal device may be in the same location, and the user maywish to authenticate one of the plurality of second terminal devices bytransmitting the status information of the first terminal device to thatsecond terminal device. Moreover, the second terminal devices may alltransmit the predetermined information to the server. So the server mayneed to distinguish at which second terminal device in particular theuser wishes to obtain the status information. To prevent the server fromtransmitting the status information to the second terminal device thatshould not receive the status information, the server may assign anidentification code to each of the plurality of second terminal devices,so the second terminal devices can be distinguished by theidentification codes.

In some embodiments, the identification codes may be generated by theserver based on a predetermined algorithm. For example, thepredetermined algorithm may include a random function or a hashalgorithm.

Step S53: the identification codes may be transmitted to the identifiedsecond terminal devices.

In some embodiments, the second terminal device may display theidentification code, so that the user can select, confirm, and/ordesignate the terminal device to obtain the status information accordingto the identification code displayed by the terminal device.

Step 55: the identification codes may be transmitted to the firstterminal device.

In some embodiments, the first terminal device may display theidentification code, so that the user can distinguish between differentsecond terminal devices according to the identification code displayedby the first and/or the second terminal devices. When there is aplurality of second terminal devices, the first terminal device candisplay an identification code list, and each second terminal devicedisplays the corresponding identification code, so the user can see theidentification code displayed on a certain second terminal device, andcorrespondingly look up the same identification code from the listdisplayed by the first terminal device. The user can select, confirm,and/or designate the second terminal device to obtain the statusinformation by clicking from the identification code list displayed bythe first terminal device. The first terminal device can monitor whetherthe click event occurs on the displayed identification code. Forexample, the first terminal device may be provided with a touch screen,and the user can click on a position on the touch screen correspondingto the identification code, or click on the identification code using amouse device.

Step S57: the identification codes transmitted by the first terminaldevice and/or the second terminal device may be received.

In some embodiments, after the corresponding identification code isdisplayed by the second terminal device, the user can enter thecorresponding identification code of the second terminal device needingto obtain the status information to the first terminal device, so thefirst terminal device can feed the identification code back to theserver so that the sever confirms the second terminal device needing toreceive the status information. The user can also enter thecorresponding identification code of the second terminal device needingto obtain the status information to the second terminal device, and thesecond terminal device transmits the identification code to the server,so that the server confirms the second terminal device that needs toreceive the status information. Moreover, the user can also enter thecorresponding identification code of the second terminal device thatneeds to obtain the status information to the first and second terminaldevice, and the first and second terminal device respectively feed theidentification code back to the server.

Step S59: the status information may be transmitted to the secondterminal device identified by the received identification code.

In some embodiments, the first terminal device may receive theidentification code transmitted by the server, the first terminal maythen transmit one of the received identification codes to the serveraccording to an operation of the user. Accordingly, the second terminaldevice that needs to obtain the status information may be specified.

In some embodiments, there may be a plurality of second terminaldevices. The second terminal devices may display the identificationcodes after receiving the identification codes. The user may input theidentification code to the first terminal device, and thereby confirmingthe terminal device that needs to receive the status information basedon the identification code. When the user selects one of the pluralityof second terminal devices to receive the status information, theidentification code displayed by the second terminal device may betransmitted to the first terminal device. The first terminal device maythen transmit the identification code to the server. After the serverreceives the identification code, the server may transmit the statusinformation to the second terminal device corresponding to theidentification code based on the corresponding relationship between theidentification code and the second terminal device.

FIG. 13 shows an exemplary implementation of server 130, which maycomprise an information receiving module 19 and an informationtransmitting module 21.

The information receiving module 19 may be used for receiving firstpredetermined information with status information indicating that thefirst terminal device completes login and first location informationindicating a current location of the first terminal device, andreceiving second predetermined information with second locationinformation indicating a current location of the second terminal device.

In some embodiments, the status information may be used for indicatingthe status that the first terminal device is authenticated. For example,the status information may comprise a character string formed inaccordance with a predetermined rule. The status information may alsocomprise account and/or password information. Specifically, for example,the status information can be a session identifier, e.g., Session ID,established between the server and the first terminal device.

In some embodiments, receiving the first predetermined information bythe information receiving module 19 may indicate that the statusinformation of the first terminal device needs to be obtained by thesecond terminal device, so that the authentication of the secondterminal device can be completed according to the status information.There are many ways of arranging the status information and the firstlocation information. For example: the status information and the firstlocation information may be used as the content of the firstpredetermined information. The status information may be separated fromthe first location information. In another example, one of the statusinformation and the first location information may be used as thecontent of the first predetermined information. The other may be used asan attachment to the first predetermined information. In yet anotherexample, a predetermined character string may be used as the content ofthe first predetermined information. In yet another example, both thestatus information and the first location information may be used asattachments to the first predetermined information.

The first location information may indicate the current location of thefirst terminal device. The first location information can be generatedby satellite positioning. For example, the first terminal device may beprovided with a GPS module. The first location information can also begenerated by base station positioning. For example, the first terminaldevice may be provided with a GSM chip or CDMA chip, etc. The firstlocation information may also by generated by network IP positioning.

In some embodiments, receiving the second predetermined information bythe information receiving module 19 may indicate that the statusinformation of the first terminal device needs to be obtained by thesecond terminal device. There are many ways of arranging the secondpredetermined information and the second location information. Forexample: the second location information may be used as the content ofthe second predetermined information. In another example, the secondlocation information may be used as an attachment of the secondpredetermined information. In yet another example, a predeterminedcharacter string may be used as the content of the second predeterminedinformation.

The second location information may indicate the location of the secondterminal device. The second location information may be generated bysatellite positioning. For example, the second terminal device may beprovided with a GPS module. The second location information can also begenerated by base station positioning. For example, the second terminaldevice may be provided with a GSM chip or CDMA chip, etc. The secondlocation information may also by generated by network IP positioning.

The information transmitting module 21 may be used for transmitting thestatus information to the second terminal device when the first locationinformation and the second location information indicate the samelocation.

In some embodiments, the server 130 may compare the locations indicatedby the first and second location information. The server 130 maycommunicate with a plurality of terminal devices, all of which cantransmit location information to the server 130, but do not necessarilyhave to synchronize the login information to the same account.Therefore, the server 130 may determine whether the terminal devices arein the same location based on the received location information.

In some embodiments, if it is determined that the first locationinformation and the second location information indicate substantiallythe same location, the server 130 may confirm that the first terminaldevice and the second terminal device are co-located and both transmitthe predetermined information, indicating that the status information ofthe first terminal device is to be transmitted to the second terminaldevice for authenticating the second terminal device. The informationtransmitting module 21 may then transmit the status information receivedfrom the first terminal device to the second terminal device at thistime.

From the technical scheme provided by the embodiment of the application,it can be seen that after a terminal device is authenticated, thisterminal device and another terminal device that needs to beauthenticated transmit predetermined information to a server. The servertransmits the status information of the authenticated terminal device tothe terminal device that needs to be authenticated, so that theauthentication can be completed based on the status information, and theuser can avoid re-entering account and password information and enjoythe convenience.

The specification has described systems and methods for interactionamong terminal devices and servers. The illustrated steps are set out toexplain the exemplary embodiments shown, and it should be anticipatedthat ongoing technological development will change the manner in whichparticular functions are performed. Thus, these examples are presentedherein for purposes of illustration, and not limitation. For example,steps or processes disclosed herein are not limited to being performedin the order described, but may be performed in any order, and somesteps may be omitted, consistent with disclosed embodiments. Further,the boundaries of the functional building blocks have been arbitrarilydefined herein for the convenience of the description. Alternativeboundaries can be defined so long as the specified functions andrelationships thereof are appropriately performed. Alternatives(including equivalents, extensions, variations, deviations, etc., ofthose described herein) will be apparent to persons skilled in therelevant art(s) based on the teachings contained herein. Suchalternatives fall within the scope and spirit of the disclosedembodiments.

While examples and features of disclosed principles are describedherein, modifications, adaptations, and other implementations arepossible without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosedembodiments. Also, the words “comprising,” “having,” “containing,” and“including,” and other similar forms are intended to be equivalent inmeaning and be open ended in that an item or items following any one ofthese words is not meant to be an exhaustive listing of such item oritems, or meant to be limited to only the listed item or items. It mustalso be noted that as used herein and in the appended claims, thesingular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” include plural references unless thecontext clearly dictates otherwise.

Furthermore, one or more computer-readable storage media may be utilizedin implementing embodiments consistent with the present disclosure. Acomputer-readable storage medium refers to any type of physical memoryon which information or data readable by a processor may be stored.Thus, a computer-readable storage medium may store instructions forexecution by one or more processors, including instructions for causingthe processor(s) to perform steps or stages consistent with theembodiments described herein. The term “computer-readable medium” shouldbe understood to include tangible items and exclude carrier waves andtransient signals, i.e., be non-transitory. Examples include RAM, ROM,volatile memory, nonvolatile memory, hard drives, CD ROMs, DVDs, flashdrives, disks, and any other known physical storage media.

It will be appreciated that the present invention is not limited to theexact construction that has been described above and illustrated in theaccompanying drawings, and that various modifications and changes can bemade without departing from the scope thereof. It is intended that thescope of the invention should only be limited by the appended claims.

1-5. (canceled)
 6. A method, implemented by a processor device of aserver, for providing authentication, the method comprising: receiving,from a first terminal device, status information and first locationinformation, wherein: the status information indicates that the firstterminal device is authenticated, the first location informationindicates a current location of the first terminal device, and thestatus information and first location information is received inresponse to the first terminal device receiving a first predeterminedsignal, wherein the first predetermined signal includes a voltage inputreceived by a predetermined port of the first terminal device and thefirst predetermined signal indicates an ability to synchronizeauthentication status of the first terminal device to a second terminaldevice; receiving, from the second terminal device, second locationinformation indicating a current location of the second terminal device;comparing the first and second location information to determine whetherthe current locations of the first and second terminal devices aresubstantially the same; and in response to a determination that thecurrent locations of the first and second terminal devices aresubstantially the same, transmitting the status information to thesecond terminal device to authenticate the second terminal device. 7.The method of claim 6, comprising: generating an identification codeindicating an identity of the second terminal device; and transmittingthe identification code to at least one of the first or second terminaldevice.
 8. The method of claim 7, comprising: receiving, from at leastone of the first or second terminal device, the identification code; andtransmitting the status information to the second terminal deviceindicated by the received identification code.
 9. The method of claim 6,comprising: receiving a first time stamp from the first terminal device;receiving a second time stamp from the second terminal device; comparingthe first and second time stamps to determine a difference between thefirst and second time stamps; and transmitting the status information tothe second terminal device when the difference between the first andsecond time stamps is within a predetermined range. 10-14. (canceled)15. A server, comprising: a transceiver device configured to transmit orreceive information from first and second terminal devices; and aprocessor device configured to: receive, from a first terminal device,status information and first location information, wherein: the statusinformation indicates that the first terminal device is authenticated,the first location information indicates a current location of the firstterminal device, and the status information and first locationinformation is received in response to the first terminal devicereceiving a first predetermined signal, wherein the first predeterminedsignal includes a voltage input received by a predetermined port of thefirst terminal device and the first predetermined signal indicates anability to synchronize authentication status of the first terminaldevice to a second terminal device; receive, from the second terminaldevice, second location information indicating a current location of thesecond terminal device; compare the first and second locationinformation to determine whether the current locations of the first andsecond terminal devices are substantially the same; and in response to adetermination that the current locations of the first and secondterminal devices are substantially the same, control the transceiver totransmit the status information to the second terminal device toauthenticate the second terminal device.
 16. The server of claim 15,wherein the processor device is further configured to: generate anidentification code indicating an identity of the second terminaldevice; and control the transceiver device to transmit theidentification code to at least one of the first or second terminaldevice.
 17. The server of claim 16, wherein the processor device isfurther configured to: control the transceiver to receive, from at leastone of the first or second terminal device, the identification code; andcontrol the transceiver to transmit the status information to the secondterminal device indicated by the received identification code.
 18. Theserver of claim 15, wherein the processor device is further configuredto: control the transceiver to receive a first time stamp from the firstterminal device; control the transceiver to receive a second time stampfrom the second terminal device; compare the first and second timestamps to determine a difference between the first and second timestamps; and control the transceiver to transmit the status informationto the second terminal device when the difference between the first andsecond time stamps is within a predetermined range.
 19. A non-transitorycomputer readable medium that stores a set of instructions that isexecutable by at least one processor of a server to cause the server toperform a method for providing authentication, the method comprising:receiving, from a first terminal device, status information and firstlocation information, wherein: the status information indicates that thefirst terminal device is authenticated the first location informationindicates a current location of the first terminal device, and thestatus information and first location information is received inresponse to the first terminal device receiving a first predeterminedsignal, wherein the first predetermined signal includes a voltage inputreceived by a predetermined port of the first terminal device and thefirst predetermined signal indicates an ability to synchronizeauthentication status of the first terminal device to a second terminaldevice; receiving, from the second terminal device, second locationinformation indicating a current location of the second terminal device;comparing the first and second location information to determine whetherthe current locations of the first and second terminal devices aresubstantially the same; and in response to a determination that thecurrent locations of the first and second terminal devices aresubstantially the same, transmitting the status information to thesecond terminal device to authenticate the second terminal device. 20.The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 19, wherein the setof instructions is executable by the at least one processor of theserver to cause the first terminal device to further perform: generatingan identification code indicating an identity of the second terminaldevice; and transmitting the identification code to at least one of thefirst or second terminal device.
 21. The non-transitory computerreadable medium of claim 20, wherein the set of instructions isexecutable by the at least one processor of the server to cause thefirst terminal device to further perform: receiving, from at least oneof the first or second terminal device, the identification code; andtransmitting the status information to the second terminal deviceindicated by the received identification code.
 22. The non-transitorycomputer readable medium of claim 19, wherein the set of instructions isexecutable by the at least one processor of the server to cause thefirst terminal device to further perform: receiving a first time stampfrom the first terminal device; receiving a second time stamp from thesecond terminal device; comparing the first and second time stamps todetermine a difference between the first and second time stamps; andtransmitting the status information to the second terminal device whenthe difference between the first and second time stamps is within apredetermined range.